Star jockey has rides for the likes of Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker at Eagle Farm on Saturday … but he thinks an unheralded young gelding could be the horse that really turns heads.
The $1,000,000 Queensland Derby is the premier event for three-year-old stayers held during the Queensland Winter Carnival. The race is held at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia.
“The horse I’m looking forward to riding as much as anything on the weekend is Smashing Time,” Berry revealed.
“He was very impressive winning at Kembla then he got back on the Kensington track and I had to make a long, sustained run on him. He was a month between runs and just got a bit tired late.
“I was shattered when he drew 15 because if he drew well he would give this race a big shake. If we get any sort of luck in running, I still think he will be right there at the finish.
“I believe Smashing Time is the next headline horse. He is going to be a lovely three-year-old.”
Smashing Time, trained by Robert and Luke Price and raced by Australian Bloodstock, is at generous odds of $21 for the Sires behind Godolphin’s Broadsiding, winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes last start.
Tommy Berry is ready to make a splash at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
• Stefi Magnetica: It’s all in the name for Cunningham family’s star filly
Berry has seven rides at Eagle Farm including boom filly Stefi Magnetica, the $3.30 favourite for the Group 3 $300,000 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
Stefi Magnetica, trained by Bjorn Baker, comes off a fast finishing fifth to Bella Nipotina in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and is well suited back against her own age.
Berry links with the all-powerful Chris Waller stable on $51 chances, Osipenko in the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Shy Guy in the $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m).
“The fact Chris Waller wants to run Osipenko in this race gives me confidence,” Berry said.
“Osipenko can mix his form a little bit but on his day we have seen some pretty impressive performances from this bloke.
“I haven’t ridden Shy Guy before but I watched a replay of his last start at Ipswich when he got back early, struck trouble in the straight then got clear and stormed home.
“He can stay all day, he’s drawn an alley so hopefully he gets the favours in the run.”